Parking brake light or buzzer

[Dennis5]

I have had several John Deeres with a decent parking brake/warning or display showing the operator that his or her parking brake is on. Not my Bx2230. Maybe the newer ones do. Do they? I am in the process of putting a micro switch and a small flashing light with a parking brale label under it. It seems even with the brake set up the bx has ample power to over ride the brake. What do think? Ever did this. Started mowing grass and relized the brake was on. I think the engineers should rethink this. I've tried contactin them but to no avale. Dennis5

 

[veresjwv]

I own a 2009 L3400 and I think this is a great idea! I have driven with the parking brake on at least 4 or 5 times..... it makes me sooo mad that I do everything I can to avoid using the brake which at times can be down right dangerous! I also have been considering adding a big red light to inducate when it is engaged. Kubota would be well served to start adding a parking brake indicator on all models. If you undertake this project please provide pics.

 

[TripleR]

Neither my 2009 Kubota nor 2007 John Deere have this, but my CX80 has an audible warning and flashing light. My MF 375 might have this feature if any of the electrical system worked...

 

[Chris86314]

I have had several John Deeres with a decent parking brake/warning or display showing the operator that his or her parking brake is on. Not my Bx2230. Maybe the newer ones do. Do they? I am in the process of putting a micro switch and a small flashing light with a parking brale label under it. It seems even with the brake set up the bx has ample power to over ride the brake. What do think? Ever did this. Started mowing grass and relized the brake was on. I think the engineers should rethink this. I've tried contactin them but to no avale. Dennis5

I drove my B3200 a couple times with the brake on when I first got it so I came up with my own warning system.. Every time I get on the tractor and before I touch any controls, I think of the 2-B's, Brake and Belt. I buckle up and release (or check) the brake, works every time.

 

[traildust]

I have had several John Deeres with a decent parking brake/warning or display showing the operator that his or her parking brake is on. Not my Bx2230. Maybe the newer ones do. Do they? I am in the process of putting a micro switch and a small flashing light with a parking brale label under it. It seems even with the brake set up the bx has ample power to over ride the brake. What do think? Ever did this. Started mowing grass and relized the brake was on. I think the engineers should rethink this. I've tried contactin them but to no avale. Dennis5

Unfortunately my B7610 will move quite easily with the parking brake on. I have done this a few times and each time I look down and see the lever locked in I get a feeling sorta like having a rattle snake on the deck! It's just shy of a quick panic, no, it is a panic!
The warning will be my next project as I don't think my heart can take too many more parking brake drive arounds. I have been actually thinking along the lines of a warning light since that horn/buzzer would really have to be quite loud as I always have hearing protection on with that engine up to RPM.

 

[KennyV]

On my L4200 there is a switch on the park brake lock lever, it turns on a RED brake light on the information panel. If you are going to try tomount a switch you might check if you can incorporate a switch on the brake lock lever. KennyV

 

[traildust]

On my L4200 there is a switch on the park brake lock lever, it turns on a RED brake light on the information panel. If you are going to try tomount a switch you might check if you can incorporate a switch on the brake lock lever. KennyV

Thank you for the info Kenny. Maybe something like a plunger switch should work fine. For a light I've been thinking something that should be able to get my attention like this.....

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I was in with you guys on some former Kubotas. Hated the driving around then realizing the brake was on but my current B3200, F2680 and BX2660 are very noticeable when the brake is on. I also don't rev my tractors all the way up to operating RPM's when I am pulling them out of their storage but I never have. I rev them up to around 1500 RPMs then pull out and if I feel that I'm a bit low I rev more till I get ready to start engaging whatever I'm engaging.

 

[traildust]

I was in with you guys on some former Kubotas. Hated the driving around then realizing the brake was on but my current B3200, F2680 and BX2660 are very noticeable when the brake is on. I also don't rev my tractors all the way up to operating RPM's when I am pulling them out of their storage but I never have. I rev them up to around 1500 RPMs then pull out and if I feel that I'm a bit low I rev more till I get ready to start engaging whatever I'm engaging.

My tractor lives in my workshop on level ground so I never set the brake as having the FEL and box scraper lowered is safe enough. As you do, I only use enough eng rpm's to move the tractor along without loading the eng. The only times I have been bitten by the brake being set is while performing FEL or box scraper work with the eng rpm's ramped up and having to disembark the tractor. I always set the brake at this point because I have a real fear of being run over by my own tractor. History for me indicates that I will forget the brake being set when I'm in a hurry and trying to rush the job.

Whenever I get off the tractor to do something I always think of a phrase I read on this site a long time ago, but I don't remember who said it "No matter what the job is, if you have to get off your tractor to do it, you are doing it wrong"....HA!

 

[BotaBigot]

I drove my B3200 a couple times with the brake on when I first got it...

Did the same and wished for some type of warning like my cars. Soon was a non-issue as I became "programmed" to step on the brake pedal before moving...and set the parking brake every time I get off, since the HST has a tendency to creep when the rocker pedal gets a little sticky...

 

[4shorts]

I have had several John Deeres with a decent parking brake/warning or display showing the operator that his or her parking brake is on. Not my Bx2230. Maybe the newer ones do. Do they? I am in the process of putting a micro switch and a small flashing light with a parking brale label under it. It seems even with the brake set up the bx has ample power to over ride the brake. What do think? Ever did this. Started mowing grass and relized the brake was on. I think the engineers should rethink this. I've tried contactin them but to no avale. Dennis5

It's funny to read this now because this morning I did just that. I put a LED flashing light on my tractor to remind me the parking brake is on. With all the ##40 Grand L's there's a parking light in the cluster but with the steering wheel pulled back I still drove off with the brake on so I know I won't now I'll post pics a video later today.

 

[traildust]

It's funny to read this now because this morning I did just that. I put a LED flashing light on my tractor to remind me the parking brake is on. With all the ##40 Grand L's there's a parking light in the cluster but with the steering wheel pulled back I still drove off with the brake on so I know I won't now I'll post pics a video later today.

Hi 4shorts, after seeing all the previous pic's and vid's of your great work I'm looking forward to this one.

 

[BX2230Dude]

At the risk of sounding like the LBrown of parking brakes

wait for it.... wait for my post.... pics of my brake setup....

I should mention that I did this to my BX2230 a few years ago and posted the whole thing (with pics) right here at TBN. Go back and look at my early posts. It was an easy project with a few dollars worth of parts from Radio Shack.

 

[4shorts]

Hi 4shorts, after seeing all the previous pic's and vid's of your great work I'm looking forward to this one.

Thanks traildust. Much appreciated. I was busy in the shop all day but I'm in the process of uploading my stuff now.

At the risk of sounding like the LBrown of parking brakes

wait for it.... wait for my post.... pics of my brake setup....

I should mention that I did this to my BX2230 a few years ago and posted the whole thing (with pics) right here at TBN. Go back and look at my early posts. It was an easy project with a few dollars worth of parts from Radio Shack.

Would be nice to see it and nicer if you had included a link

 

[BX2230Dude]

Would be nice to see it and nicer if you had included a link

Since you asked . Here's the link. This is an old link from before TBN was updated so each post shows up twice. just read the odd numbered posts...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../80525-bx-parking-brake-indicator-solved.html

 

[_RaT_]

I have had several John Deeres with a decent parking brake/warning or display showing the operator that his or her parking brake is on. Not my Bx2230. Maybe the newer ones do. Do they? I am in the process of putting a micro switch and a small flashing light with a parking brale label under it. It seems even with the brake set up the bx has ample power to over ride the brake. What do think? Ever did this. Started mowing grass and relized the brake was on. I think the engineers should rethink this. I've tried contactin them but to no avale. Dennis5

Rather than a light or buzzer, how about a small electrical shock to the seat. That would have two benefits.
1. you get shocked and remember to never do that again
2. you realize that lesson one did not have enough influence so your brain quickly develops a defensive strategy the second time you get shocked.... You no longer leave your parking brake set...

PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

[homedad]

My L3130 has the parking brake light on the IP. However I found that you really have to push hard in order to get the light on. Most times setting the p-brake won't activate the light.

 

[KennyV]

you really have to push hard in order to get the light on. Most times setting the p-brake won't activate the light.

This is why it is best to place the activation switch on the brake lock lever, I'm so glad my Kubota came like that... KennyV

 

[4shorts]

Even though my Kubota Grand L has a warning lamp built into the instrument cluster I still have driven off with the park brake on. I guess the park brake warning light is kind of down and out of the way so I don't notice it much. Well I decided to add another LED light to the beast and it cost me a whopping $6.97 (Wal-Mart) and 20 minutes to do it. I first placed the light in an area where I knew I would see it. I ran two wires to ground and the other 12 volt fused I ran to one leg of the micro switch that was already on the park brake. The original light still works in the cluster and this is just an extra warning light.

For the folks that don't have a warning light at all just get yourself a switch like that's on the Kubota Grand L's and it will work with the only difference is that you'll have to add a 12 volt power source. For the folks that don't have a cab you could use a soft sounding buzzer instead of a light is you wished to. just something to consider. This will prevent me from driving off with the brake on now (I hope)

Below is the park brake micro switch.

As you can see it's very thin.

This picture shows where I mounted it.

Short YouTube video:


YouTube - Park brake warning.MPG

 

[BXRICK]

Solution: Any time you get off the tractor, whether for a short while, or when parking it, put the brake on.
Pretty soon, releasing it becomes part of getting back on the tractor.
In other words, just make it habit.